JP2007178114A - Refrigerant heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a refrigerant heating device capable of reducing system cost even when heating a plurality of target portions.
A power unit 60 serving as a refrigerant heating device for heating a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe 20 includes a first coil 62b, a second coil 62c, a power output unit 66, an acquisition unit 64, And an output control unit 65. The first coil 62b heats the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 20b. The second coil 62c heats the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe 20c. The power output unit 66 heats both the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c by changing the output power. The acquisition unit 64 acquires information on the degree of heating required in the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c. The output control unit 65 controls the output power of the power output unit 66 for the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c based on the acquisition result by the acquisition unit 64.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerant heating device, and more particularly to a refrigerant heating device that heats a refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant pipe.

  In general, a refrigerant heating device that heats a refrigerant circulating between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of an air conditioner is known.

  Conventionally, such a refrigerant heating apparatus includes, for example, an apparatus disclosed in the following Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260. The refrigerant heating device described in Patent Document 1 is provided in a pipe on the discharge side of a compressor in a refrigerant circuit, and is used as an auxiliary heater or the like during heating operation.

As a heater of this refrigerant heating device, for example, a coil is wound around a pipe including a heating element such as a magnetic body, and a high-frequency current is supplied to the coil to heat a magnetic part by electromagnetic induction. Things are used. In this electromagnetic induction heating method, the coil and the magnetic part can be heated in a non-contact state by magnetic lines generated by supplying a high-frequency current to the coil. For this reason, it has the advantage that the refrigerant can be heated quickly, and has attracted particular attention in recent years.
JP-A-5-223194

  In the above-described refrigerant heating device, for example, the magnetic material of the target portion is heated by combining one coil and one inverter circuit that supplies a high-frequency current to the coil. When there are a plurality of target portions to be heated, a coil is wound around each target portion, and heating is performed by providing a separate inverter circuit for each of these coils. For this reason, when the number of pipes and other parts to be heated increases, the number of power output means such as inverter circuits also increases, and the system cost increases.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the point mentioned above, The subject of this invention is providing the refrigerant | coolant heating apparatus which can reduce a system cost even when it is a case where a some object part is heated. is there.

A refrigerant heating device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a refrigerant heating device for heating a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe, and includes a first heat generation unit, a second heat generation unit, a power output unit, an acquisition unit, and a control. Department. The first heat generating unit heats the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe. The second heat generating unit heats the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe. The power output unit heats both the first heat generating unit and the second heat generating unit by changing the output power. An acquisition part acquires the information regarding the heating degree requested | required in a 1st heat generating part and a 2nd heat generating part. The control unit controls the output power of the power output unit with respect to the first heat generating unit and the second heat generating unit based on the acquisition result by the acquiring unit. In addition, the case where the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe are connected to form one flow path is also included in the present invention. In addition, the number of locations to be heated by the refrigerant heating device is not limited to two, that is, the first heat generating portion and the second heat generating portion, and naturally includes the case of heating for three or more locations. . The power output unit includes constant current generating means and an inverter circuit. This constant current generating means is used by switching ON / OFF, and generates a constant current in the ON state. The inverter circuit changes the heating degree of both the first heat generating part and the second heat generating part by changing the output power. The control unit performs control to switch ON / OFF of the constant current generation unit based on the acquisition result by the acquisition unit, and controls the output power of the inverter circuit based on the ON / OFF state of the constant current generation unit. Do.

  In the conventional refrigerant heating device, when the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe is heated at a plurality of locations, heating is performed by providing power output means such as separate inverters corresponding to the heating locations, thereby increasing the system cost. I'm waiting for you.

  On the other hand, in the refrigerant heating device of the first aspect of the invention, not only the first heat generating part but also the second heat generating part is controlled by one inverter circuit to change the heating degree by the control by the inverter control part. For this reason, when heating not only the 1st heat generating part but the 2nd heat generating part, it can respond by one electric power output part, without providing a plurality of electric power output parts corresponding to each heat generating part.

  As a result, the system cost can be reduced by reducing the number of required power output units.

  Then, the constant current generating means provided in advance can be used in an auxiliary manner in order to cope with the case where the amount of heat generation required in the first heat generating section and the second heat generating section increases. As a result, the power capacity of one inverter circuit required to change not only the first heat generating portion but also the output power of the second heat generating portion can be kept small.

  As a result, an inexpensive circuit having a small capacity can be adopted as one inverter circuit while ensuring the degree of heating required in the first heat generating part and the second heat generating part, and thus the system cost can be suppressed. become.

The refrigerant heating device according to the second invention is the refrigerant heating device according to the first invention, wherein the constant current value by the constant current generating means is not more than the maximum value of the output current value of the inverter circuit.

  Here, the constant current value by the constant current generating means is not more than the maximum value of the output current value of the inverter circuit. For this reason, when the inverter circuit alone cannot cope with the output currents required by the first heat generating part and the second heat generating part, the constant current generating means is turned on to lower the output current of the inverter circuit, thereby A continuous value can be secured as the output current required for the heat generating portion and the second heat generating portion. For this reason, even if it exceeds the maximum value of the output current value of the inverter circuit, the value of the output current does not become discrete.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to perform more detailed inverter control according to the request | requirement of a 1st heat generating part and a 2nd heat generating part.

A refrigerant heating device according to a third invention is the refrigerant heating device of the first invention or the second invention, and the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe flow the refrigerant for different indoor units. Here, the power capacity of the inverter circuit is the greater of the maximum power required by the indoor unit through which the first refrigerant pipe flows refrigerant and the maximum power required by the indoor unit through which the second refrigerant pipe flows refrigerant. Is greater than or equal to

  Here, an inverter circuit having a power capacity exceeding the larger value of the maximum power required in each indoor unit provided corresponding to each refrigerant pipe is used.

  Thus, in a situation where only one of the indoor units is operating, it is possible to cope with only the power capacity of the inverter circuit.

  Further, in a situation where only one of the indoor units is operating, the power output unit can cope with only the power capacity of the inverter circuit, so there is no need to turn on the constant current generating means.

A refrigerant heating device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a refrigerant heating device for heating a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe, wherein the first heat generating unit, the second heat generating unit, the power output unit, the acquisition unit, and the control Department. The first heat generating unit heats the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe. The second heat generating unit heats the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe. The power output unit heats both the first heat generating unit and the second heat generating unit by changing the output power. An acquisition part acquires the information regarding the heating degree requested | required in a 1st heat generating part and a 2nd heat generating part. The control unit controls the output power of the power output unit with respect to the first heat generating unit and the second heat generating unit based on the acquisition result by the acquiring unit. In addition, the case where the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe are connected to form one flow path is also included in the present invention. In addition, the number of locations to be heated by the refrigerant heating device is not limited to two, that is, the first heat generating portion and the second heat generating portion, and naturally includes the case of heating for three or more locations. . And a control part distributes the output electric power output simultaneously from an electric power output part into the output electric power with respect to a 1st heat generating part, and the output electric power with respect to a 2nd heat generating part based on the acquisition result in an acquisition part.

  In the conventional refrigerant heating device, when the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe is heated at a plurality of locations, heating is performed by providing power output means such as separate inverters corresponding to the heating locations, thereby increasing the system cost. I'm waiting for you.

  On the other hand, here, the control unit performs control to adjust the output power for the first heat generating unit and the output power for the second heat generating unit by distributing the output power based on the acquisition result.

  Thereby, it is possible to adjust so as to satisfy both the degree of heating required in the first heat generating part and the degree of heating required in the second heat generating part.

A refrigerant heating device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a refrigerant heating device for heating a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant pipe, and includes a first heat generating unit, a second heat generating unit, a power output unit, an acquisition unit, and a control. Department. The first heat generating unit heats the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe. The second heat generating unit heats the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe. The power output unit heats both the first heat generating unit and the second heat generating unit by changing the output power. An acquisition part acquires the information regarding the heating degree requested | required in a 1st heat generating part and a 2nd heat generating part. The control unit controls the output power of the power output unit with respect to the first heat generating unit and the second heat generating unit based on the acquisition result by the acquiring unit. In addition, the case where the first refrigerant pipe and the second refrigerant pipe are connected to form one flow path is also included in the present invention. In addition, the number of locations to be heated by the refrigerant heating device is not limited to two, that is, the first heat generating portion and the second heat generating portion, and naturally includes the case of heating for three or more locations. . And a control part is the 1st time slot | zone supplied with respect to the 1st heat generating part based on the acquisition result in an acquisition part, and the 2nd time slot | zone supplied with respect to a 2nd heat generating part based on the acquisition result in an acquisition part. Divided into supplies.

  In the conventional refrigerant heating device, when the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe is heated at a plurality of locations, heating is performed by providing power output means such as separate inverters corresponding to the heating locations, thereby increasing the system cost. I'm waiting for you.

  On the other hand, here, the control unit performs output power switching control by supplying output power to the first heat generating unit and the second heat generating unit at different timings.

  As a result, heating in accordance with the requirements of each heat generating part is achieved by a simple control configuration in which the output power required in the first heat generating part and the output power required in the second heat generating part are supplied at different timings. Is possible.

  A refrigerant heating apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a refrigerant heating apparatus for heating a refrigerant, and includes a pipe heating part, a drain pan heating part, a power output part, an acquisition part, and a control part. . The pipe heat generating unit heats the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe. The drain pan heat generator heats the drain pan that flows or stores drain water. The power output unit heats both the pipe heating unit and the drain pan heating unit by changing the output power. An acquisition part acquires the information regarding the heating degree requested | required in a piping heat generating part and a drain pan heat generating part. The control unit controls the output power of the power output unit with respect to the pipe heating unit and the drain pan heating unit based on the acquisition result by the acquiring unit. The pipe heating section includes a refrigerant pipe containing a magnetic material and a pipe coil that causes electromagnetic induction in the magnetic material of the refrigerant pipe when an electric current flows. The drain pan heat generating section includes a drain pan containing a magnetic material and a drain pan coil that causes electromagnetic induction in the magnetic material of the drain pan when a current flows.

  In a conventional refrigerant heating device, when heating is performed for a plurality of locations such as a refrigerant and a drain pan flowing through a refrigerant pipe, power output means such as separate inverters are provided corresponding to the heating locations, respectively. The cost is overcrowded. Furthermore, there is a case where drain water generated by condensation of moisture in the air in a heat exchanger or the like functioning as an evaporator is collected in a drain pan. In such a case, depending on the temperature environment around the drain water, the drain water freezes, and there is a risk that it becomes difficult to discharge the drain water or that the drain pan is broken.

  In contrast, in the refrigerant heating apparatus of the sixth aspect of the invention, the power output from one output power unit is controlled by the control unit, so that the degree of heating is changed not only for the pipe heating unit but also for the drain pan heating unit. For this reason, when heating not only the piping heat generating part but also the drain pan heat generating part, it is not necessary to provide a power output part corresponding to each heat generating part, and it can be handled by one power output part. In the refrigerant heating device of the tenth aspect, the drain water can be heated by causing the drain pan itself to generate heat by the drain pan heating section. For this reason, it becomes possible to avoid the situation where drain water becomes difficult to be drained or the drain pan is destroyed due to freezing of drain water.

  As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of power output sections required when heating the refrigerant piping and the drain pan, thereby reducing the system cost and avoiding the drain water freezing. become.

  In addition, since it becomes possible to accelerate | stimulate evaporation of drain water because drain water is heated by a drain pan heat generating part, the water | moisture content collected in a drain pan can be reduced.

  In this case, electromagnetic induction heating can be performed by applying a frequency current to the coil wound around the magnetic material. For this reason, since the said part can be heated only by winding a coil, the freedom degree of a heating position can be improved.

A refrigerant heating apparatus according to a seventh aspect is the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the control unit performs control such that the output time from the power output unit to the drain pan coil is intermittent.

  Here, it is possible to reduce the waste of energy consumption due to the heat generation of the drain pan more than necessary by suppressing the continuous output of power to the drain pan coil.

The refrigerant heating apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the refrigerant heating apparatus of the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect , wherein the drain pan collects moisture in the heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator. The acquisition unit acquires information on frost formation in the heat exchanger. Then, the control unit performs control so as to perform the defrost operation for removing frost while at least information on the occurrence of frost is acquired by the acquisition unit, and ends the defrost operation or the defrost operation. Control is performed to increase the output power from the output power unit for the drain pan coil at a timing based on any one of the time points. For example, it is included that the predetermined time is measured with a timer or the like from this reference. Further, the installation position of the drain pan is not particularly limited to the bottom of the evaporator, and when a mechanism capable of collecting the drain water generated in the evaporator is adopted, the collected drain water is It suffices if it is placed in a place where it is collected.

  In this case, the control unit controls the timing of performing the output power supply start control and the power supply improvement control from the power output unit to the drain pan coil so that the start time or the end time of the defrost operation is used as a reference.

  As a result, by heating the drain pan in a timely manner, the frost in the evaporator can be thawed by the defrost operation and the drain water collected in the drain pan can be heated, and the power output to the drain pan coil can be reduced only when necessary. Loss can be reduced.

A refrigerant heating apparatus according to a ninth aspect is the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the control unit performs the defrost operation by increasing the output power to the piping coil. And a control part performs the control which gives priority to the output electric power from the electric power output part with respect to a piping coil to the output electric power with respect to a drain pan coil at the time of defrost operation execution.

  Here, when defrosting is performed when frost formation occurs, the control unit controls the output power to the piping coil to increase, and the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the piping heating unit is increased to increase the temperature in the evaporator. It can be removed by thawing frost formation.

  Thereby, by giving priority to the defrost operation, it is possible to heat the drain water generated by the defrosting while preferentially eliminating the state in which the heat exchange is inhibited.

A refrigerant heating apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the invention is the refrigerant heating apparatus according to any of the sixth to ninth aspects of the invention , further comprising a drain temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the drain in the drain pan. And a control part supplies the output electric power from an electric power output part with respect to a drain pan coil, when the temperature detected by a drain temperature sensor is -3 degrees C or less.

  Here, even if the temperature of the drain water falls below 0 ° C., the drain water may be in a state of supercooled water and is not necessarily frozen. When the temperature of drain water falls below 0 ° C and the temperature gradually decreases without vibration, etc., it exists as water without freezing in a supercooled state lower than the freezing point of water. There are things to do. However, when the water temperature falls to −3 ° C., innumerable ice crystal nuclei are generated in the water, and each of these ice crystal nuclei grows, and as a whole, freezing occurs at a stretch. Here, −3 ° C. as a reference of the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor has such a critical significance.

On the other hand, in the refrigerant heating device of the tenth aspect of the invention, when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor becomes −3 ° C. or lower, output power is supplied from the power output unit for the drain pan coil.

  As a result, it is possible to approach the timing at which drought water is prevented from sudden freezing and thawing due to the generation of such ice crystal nuclei and the timing of heat generation of the drain pan from the power output unit. The output power can be used more efficiently. That is, it is possible to avoid wasteful consumption of power that causes the drain pan to generate heat at a timing at which freezing does not occur.

The refrigerant heating apparatus according to an eleventh aspect of the invention is the refrigerant heating apparatus of the tenth aspect of the invention , wherein the control unit is a power output unit for the drain pan coil when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor is higher than 0 ° C. Stop supplying the output power from.

  Here, when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor is higher than 0 ° C., the drain water is not frozen, and thus it is unnecessary to supply output power to the drain pan coil.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to more reliably prevent unnecessary supply of output power to the drain pan coil.

A refrigerant heating apparatus according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the refrigerant heating apparatus according to any one of the sixth to eleventh aspects of the present invention , further comprising an outdoor temperature sensor that detects an outdoor temperature. And a control part supplies the output electric power from an electric power output part with respect to a drain pan coil, when the temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor is -3 degrees C or less.

  Here, even if the temperature of the drain water drops below 0 ° C. in an environment where the outside air temperature is low, the drain water may be in a state of supercooled water and is not necessarily frozen. When the temperature of drain water falls below 0 ° C and the temperature gradually decreases without vibration, etc., it exists as water without freezing in a supercooled state lower than the freezing point of water. There are things to do. However, when the water temperature falls to −3 ° C., innumerable ice crystal nuclei are generated in the water, and each of these ice crystal nuclei grows, and as a whole, freezing occurs at a stretch. Here, −3 ° C. as a reference of the temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor has a critical significance in the case where the drain water is cooled to −3 ° C. in such an outdoor environment.

On the other hand, in the refrigerant heating device of the twelfth aspect of the invention, when the detected temperature of the outdoor temperature sensor becomes −3 ° C. or lower, output power is supplied from the power output unit for the drain pan coil.

  As a result, it is possible to approach the timing at which drought water is prevented from sudden freezing and thawing due to the generation of such ice crystal nuclei and the timing of heat generation of the drain pan from the power output unit. The output power can be used more efficiently. That is, it is possible to avoid wasteful consumption of power that causes the drain pan to generate heat at a timing at which freezing does not occur.

For example, by making the twelfth invention and the tenth invention compatible, the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor is −3 ° C. or lower, and the temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor is −3 ° C. or lower. You may set the control conditions of the control part with respect to a drain pan coil more finely on condition that there exists.

In the refrigerant heating device according to the first aspect of the invention , an inexpensive one having a small capacity can be adopted as one inverter circuit while ensuring the degree of heating required in the first heat generating part and the second heat generating part. System cost can be reduced.

In the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention , it is possible to perform more detailed inverter control according to the requirements of the first heat generating part and the second heat generating part.

In the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention , in a situation where only one of the indoor units is operating, it is possible to cope with only the power capacity of the inverter circuit.

In the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention , it is possible to adjust so as to satisfy both the degree of heating required in the first heat generating part and the degree of heating required in the second heat generating part.

In the refrigerant heating device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention , each heat generation is performed by a simple control configuration in which the output power required in the first heat generating unit and the output power required in the second heat generating unit are supplied at different timings. Heating according to the demand of the part becomes possible.

In the refrigerant heating device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention , it is possible to heat the portion only by winding the coil, and therefore the degree of freedom of the heating position can be improved.

In the refrigerant heating device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention , it is possible to reduce waste of energy consumption due to the heat generation of the drain pan more than necessary.

In the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the invention , by heating the drain pan in a timely manner, the frost in the evaporator can be thawed by the defrost operation and the drain water collected in the drain pan can be heated, and the power to the drain pan coil can be increased. Energy loss can be reduced only when the output is required.

In the refrigerant heating device according to the ninth aspect of the invention , priority is given to the defrosting operation, so that drain water generated by defrosting can be heated while preferentially eliminating the state in which heat exchange is inhibited.

In the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the tenth aspect of the invention , the timing at which rapid freezing prevention or thawing of drain water due to the generation of such ice crystal nuclei is necessary and the timing of heat generation of the drain pan are brought close to each other. Therefore, the output power from the power output unit can be used more efficiently.

In the refrigerant heating apparatus according to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to more reliably prevent unnecessary supply of output power to the drain pan coil.

In the refrigerant heating device according to the twelfth aspect of the invention , it is possible to suppress unnecessary output power to the drain pan heat generating portion while reliably preventing drain water from freezing and stagnation of discharge.

<Outline of the invention>
The present invention provides a refrigerant heating device that heats a refrigerant flowing in a refrigerant pipe at a plurality of locations. In the refrigerant heating device of the present invention, when heating is performed on refrigerant flowing through a plurality of locations such as refrigerant pipes and drain pans, a heat generating portion is provided corresponding to each heating target location, and the degree of heat generated by each heat generating portion is 1 Adjust by controlling with two inverter circuits. The present invention is characterized in that even when there are a plurality of portions that generate heat in this way, adjustment of the degree of heat generation of the plurality of heat generating portions is realized by a single inverter circuit, thereby reducing the system cost. Further, there is a feature in that the system cost can be suppressed by reducing the capacity of the inverter circuit by reducing the capacity of the inverter circuit while securing the degree of heating required in each heat generating part by using the constant current generating means.

  Hereinafter, a refrigerant heating apparatus in which an embodiment of the present invention is adopted will be described in detail by taking the following embodiment as an example. Further, other embodiments relating to the refrigerant heating device will be described later.

<Schematic configuration of the air conditioner 1>
First, the air conditioner 1 in which the power unit 60 is incorporated will be described with reference to FIG.

  The air conditioner 1 is a multi-air type air conditioner configured by connecting a plurality of indoor units (a first indoor unit 1b and a second indoor unit 1c) to a single outdoor unit 1a. And the power unit 60 as a refrigerant | coolant heating apparatus is integrated in the inside of the outdoor unit 1a in this multi air-conditioning type refrigerant circuit.

<Schematic configuration of refrigerant circuit 21>
The air conditioner 1 includes one outdoor unit 1a, a first indoor unit 1b and a second indoor unit 1c, and two refrigerant pipes 20 (first refrigerant pipe 20b and second refrigerant pipe 20c) connecting them, have. And with respect to the compressor 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the power unit 60, and the two expansion valves (the first expansion valve 12b and the second expansion valve 12c) provided in the outdoor unit 1a, each indoor unit 1b, 1c The refrigerant circuit 21 is configured by connecting two indoor heat exchangers (the first indoor heat exchanger 13b and the second indoor heat exchanger 13c) provided in the interior thereof in parallel by the refrigerant pipes 20, respectively. . In addition, the first expansion valve side electromagnetic valve 16b is between the first coil 62b portion of the power unit 60 and the first expansion valve 12b, and the second is between the second coil 62c portion of the power unit 60 and the second expansion valve 12c. An expansion valve side electromagnetic valve 16c is provided. Further, the first compressor side electromagnetic valve 17b is provided between the four-way switching valve 22 and the first indoor heat exchanger 13b, and the second compressor is provided between the four-way switching valve 22 and the second indoor heat exchanger 13c. A side solenoid valve 17c is provided.

  The outdoor unit 1a is provided with an air conditioning control device 70 that controls the air conditioning of the indoor units 1b and 1c based on information and set values from the indoor units 1b and 1c. The air conditioning control device 70 controls the opening and closing of these solenoid valves to control the air conditioning of the plurality of indoor units 1b and 1c with respect to one outdoor unit 1a. Here, the heat exchangers 11, 13 b, 13 c and the compressor 10 are connected via the four-way switching valve 22 so that the heating operation and the cooling operation can be switched by the control by the air conditioning control device 70. It has become.

  The first indoor heat exchanger 13b and the second indoor heat exchanger 13c are provided with a first indoor temperature sensor S1 and a second indoor temperature sensor S2 that detect a room temperature and output a control signal, respectively. . In addition, an outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor S3 that detects the refrigerant temperature and outputs a control signal is installed in the heat transfer tube of the outdoor heat exchanger 11.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the four-way switching valve 22 is switched to the heating operation side. At this time, the indoor heat exchangers 13b and 13c act as condensers, and the outdoor heat exchanger 11 acts as an evaporator. To do.

  An outdoor blower 14 is provided in the outdoor unit 1a. Further, in each indoor unit 1b, 1c, a first indoor fan 15b and a second indoor fan 15c are provided, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the power unit 60 that is a refrigerant heating device is disposed between the expansion valves 12 b and 12 c and the indoor heat exchangers 13 b and 13 c in the refrigerant circuit 21. The power unit 60 abruptly heats the refrigerant flowing toward the outdoor heat exchanger 11 in the defrost operation or the operation as an auxiliary heater.

<Configuration of power unit 60>
Next, the configuration of the power unit 60 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The power unit 60 is a heating device of an electromagnetic induction heating method, and includes a first coil 62b, a second coil 62c, and a high frequency power supply device 63 as shown in FIG.

  The first coil 62b is wound around the first refrigerant pipe 20b in order to heat the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe 20b connected to the first indoor unit 1b. In addition, this 1st refrigerant | coolant piping 20b is comprised including the magnetic body material. Further, both ends of the first coil 62b are connected to a high frequency power supply device 63 which will be described later.

  The second coil 62c is wound around the second refrigerant pipe 20c in order to heat the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe 20c connected to the second indoor unit 1c. In addition, this 2nd refrigerant | coolant piping 20c is comprised including the magnetic material. Similarly, both end portions of the second coil 62c are connected to a high frequency power supply device 63 to be described later.

  The high frequency power supply device 63 includes an acquisition unit 64, an output control unit 65, and a power output unit 66.

  The acquisition unit 64 is connected to the first indoor temperature sensor S1, the second indoor temperature sensor S2, and the outdoor heat exchange temperature sensor S3.

  Here, when the air conditioning control device 70 described above determines that frost formation has occurred in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 based on the temperature detected by the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor S3 during the heating operation, the compressor 10 The defrost operation is performed by operating the power unit 60 while continuing the operation in the normal cycle. Moreover, the air-conditioning control apparatus 70 is the 1st refrigerant | coolant corresponding to any one of indoor units 1b and 1c based on each detection temperature of 1st indoor temperature sensor S1, 2nd indoor temperature sensor S2, and outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor S3. When it is determined that the heating amount of the refrigerant passing through the pipe 20a or the second refrigerant pipe 20c is insufficient, the power unit 60 is operated to operate as an auxiliary heater for heating the refrigerant.

  The power output unit 66 includes one inverter circuit 67 and one constant current generation unit 68.

  The inverter circuit 67 is connected to both the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c. The inverter circuit 67 receives a control command from the output control unit 65, converts the output frequency and converts the absolute value of the output alternating current, as shown in FIG. The high frequency current is supplied to the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c while the power supply time distribution for the two coils 62c is converted. Here, the inverter circuit 67 supplies electric power with the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c while switching the supply target according to the distribution time.

  The output control part 65 grasps | ascertains the heating degree requested | required in each of the 1st refrigerant | coolant piping 20b and the 2nd refrigerant | coolant piping 20c based on the information which the acquisition part 64 mentioned above acquired. Then, the output control unit 65 determines whether or not output control that satisfies the grasped heating degree can be realized only by the inverter circuit 67. If it is determined that this can be realized only by the inverter circuit 67, the output control unit 65 corresponds to a high-frequency current corresponding to the degree of heating required in the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 2c. Output control of the frequency of the inverter circuit 67, the output current, and the power supply time distribution is performed so that power is supplied by time distribution. Specifically, when the output control unit 65 determines that the degree of heating of the first refrigerant pipe 20b is insufficient, the output control unit 65 performs control to increase the frequency of the inverter circuit 67 or control to increase the output current. Or Further, the output control unit 65 controls the power supply time distribution to control the supply time zone for the first coil 62b to be longer than the supply time zone for the second coil 62c.

  The constant current generator 68 is ON / OFF controlled by the output controller 65 and generates a predetermined constant current in the ON state. Specifically, when the output control unit 65 determines that the heating amount required in the first refrigerant pipe 20b cannot be achieved by the inverter circuit 67 alone based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 described above, the constant current The generator 68 is activated. The constant current generating unit 68 operates when it is determined that the output is insufficient, thereby satisfying the heating amounts required for the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c, respectively. As the constant current generating unit 68 for supplying the constant current value, a constant current value equal to or less than the maximum output current value of the inverter circuit 67 is adopted. Thereby, about the heating amount of the 1st refrigerant | coolant piping 20b and the 2nd refrigerant | coolant piping 20c, it can adjust with the heating amount of a continuous value, without a value becoming discontinuous. Here, when the output control unit 65 determines that the capacity is insufficient and activates the constant current generation unit 68, the output control unit 65 subtracts the current obtained from the constant current generation unit 68, and each of the coils 62 b and 62 c from the inverter circuit 67. Is controlled so that a high-frequency current is supplied.

<Heating operation by the power unit 60>
Here, the operation | movement about the heating by electromagnetic induction is demonstrated, referring FIG. 1 and FIG.

  First, as described above, the air conditioning control device 70 performs the defrost operation or the auxiliary heater according to the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 from the first indoor temperature sensor S1, the second indoor temperature sensor S2, and the outdoor heat exchange temperature sensor S3. The operation is executed. Here, the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 is sent to the output control unit 65.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the output control unit 65 that has received the information from the acquisition unit 64 has the first coil 62b and the first coil 62b according to the heating amount required in the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c. A high frequency current is supplied to each of the two coils 62c in each time distribution. Here, the frequency, output current, and power supply time distribution according to the heating amount required in each of the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c are determined, and the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c are assigned. On the other hand, a high frequency current is supplied.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, lines of magnetic force are generated around the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c, and a high-frequency magnetic field is generated. This magnetic flux induces an induced current in the magnetic material. Therefore, innumerable eddy currents are induced in the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c containing the magnetic material, and Joule heat is generated due to the electric resistance of each refrigerant pipe itself and the generated eddy current. The refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c each generate heat instantaneously. In this way, the heat of the heated refrigerant pipes 20b and 20c is transmitted to the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipes 20b and 20c, thereby heating the refrigerant.

  The control by the output control unit 65 for frequency, output current, and power supply time distribution is performed as shown in FIG. In the following, description will be given separately for different time zones.

(0 to t1)
In FIG. 4, during the period from the start of control to t1, the output control unit 65 determines that the operation of the constant current generation unit 68 is unnecessary based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64, and the first refrigerant pipe In order to satisfy the heating amount required in 20b and the heating amount required in the second refrigerant pipe 20c, the output corresponding to the first coil 62b from the inverter circuit 67 ("P1-" shown in FIG. 4). 1 ") and the output corresponding to the second coil 62c (" P2-1 "shown in FIG. 4).

(T1-t2)
Next, in the period from t1 to t2 in FIG. 4, the output control unit 65 determines that the operation of the constant current generation unit 68 is unnecessary based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64. An example of output control when it is determined that the heating amount of the refrigerant pipe 20b is considerably increased and the heating amount of the second refrigerant pipe 20c is slightly increased is shown. Specifically, here, the output control unit 65 performs output control to increase the output frequency from the inverter circuit 67 (decrease the pulse width) and further increase the output current. As a result, the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c are supplied with higher-frequency AC currents ("P1-2" and "P2-2" shown in FIG. 4), so that a large amount of eddy currents are generated. Joule heat generated by increasing the alternating current also increases, increasing the heating amount. Further, the output control is performed on the first coil 62b so that the power supply time distribution is relatively long (in this case, the time distribution is changed to the first coil 62b: second coil 62c = 2: 1). is doing). As a result, the heating amount required in the first refrigerant pipe 20b can be sufficiently supplied.

(T2-)
In the control shown after t2 in FIG. 4, the heating amount of the second refrigerant pipe 20c further increases while the heating amount of the first refrigerant pipe 20b remains unchanged, and the output control unit 65 is insufficient in capacity only by the inverter circuit 67. An example of output control when it is determined that there is a constant current generator 68 and the constant current generator 68 is activated is shown. Here, the output control unit 65 operates the constant current generation unit 68 by operating the constant current generation unit 68 while equalizing the power supply time distribution between the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c, and only Pb is supplied to the first coil 62b. The current supplied to the second coil 62c is increased by Pc ("P1-2 + Pb" and "P2-2 + Pc" shown in FIG. 4). As a result, the lines of magnetic force generated around the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c are increased, heating by electromagnetic induction is made efficient, and the heating amount required in each part is ensured.

<Characteristics of power unit 60 of this embodiment>
(1)
In the conventional refrigerant heating device, when the refrigerant is heated at a plurality of locations, heating is performed by providing power output means such as separate inverters corresponding to the heating locations, which increases the system cost. Yes.

  On the other hand, in the power unit 60 in the present embodiment, not only the first refrigerant pipe 20b but also the second refrigerant pipe 20c is controlled by one power output unit 66 by the control by the output control unit 65. Specifically, control is performed to adjust the degree of heating by the output frequency, output current, power supply time distribution from the inverter circuit 67, ON / OFF control of the constant current generator 68, and the like. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the power output unit 66 separately for each heating place, the number of the power output units 66 can be smaller than the number of heating parts, and the necessary inverter circuit 67 and constant current generation are required. The system cost can be kept low by reducing the number of units 68.

  Further, in the power unit 60 of the present embodiment, by providing the constant current generating unit 68, even a system of one inverter circuit 67 having a small capacity can cope with a state where the capacity is insufficient. By adopting the inexpensive inverter circuit 67 having a small capacity as described above, the system cost can be further reduced.

(2)
In the power unit 60 in the embodiment, the output control unit 65 controls the output frequency, output current, and power supply time distribution output of the power output unit 66 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64. Thereby, in the air conditioning apparatus 1 employing the multi-air conditioning system, the heat generation amount required in each of the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c is reliably ensured, and the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant pipes is heated. The degree can be adjusted for each pipe.

(3)
In the power unit 60 in the present embodiment, the constant current value supplied by the constant current generator 68 is equal to or less than the maximum output current value of the inverter circuit 67. For this reason, even in the case where the capacity of the inverter circuit 67 alone is insufficient, the output control unit 65 performs control to turn on the constant current generation unit 68 and adjust the output current of the inverter circuit 67. In addition, a continuous value can be secured as the heating amount in the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c, and detailed correspondence control can be performed.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of invention.

(A)
In the power unit 60 in the above embodiment, the control in the configuration in which the power output unit 66 has one inverter circuit 67 and one constant current generation unit 68 has been described as an example.

  However, the power output unit 66 of the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the power output unit 66 may not include the inverter circuit 67 but may include only the constant current generation unit 68. In this case, the output control unit 65 grasps the degree of heating required in each of the refrigerant pipes 20b and 20c based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64, and outputs the constant current generation unit 68 so as to satisfy them. Take control. Specifically, the output control unit 65 controls the supply time of the constant current from the constant current generation unit 68 and the first coil 62b and the second coil so as to correspond to the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c, respectively. Control of power supply time distribution with the coil 62c is performed.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the power output unit 66 may include only the inverter circuit 67 without the constant current generation unit 68. In this case, the output control unit 65 grasps the degree of heating required in each refrigerant pipe 20b, 20c based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64, and performs output control of the inverter circuit 67 so as to satisfy these. Do. Specifically, the output control unit 65 performs frequency control of the inverter circuit 67, control of the supply current value, control of the length of supply time, control of power supply time distribution, and the like.

  Also with these configurations, similarly to the above embodiment, the heating control of the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c can be performed by one power output unit 66, and the system cost can be kept low.

(B)
In the power unit 60 in the above-described embodiment, the case where heating is performed for two locations of the first refrigerant pipe 20b and the second refrigerant pipe 20c by one power output unit 66 has been described as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of indoor units connected to the outdoor units is not limited to two in an air conditioner employing a multi-air conditioning system. For example, a configuration in which three or more indoor units are connected to one outdoor unit may be used. In this case, each refrigerant pipe provided corresponding to three or more indoor units is controlled to be heated by one inverter circuit.

(C)
In the power unit 60 in the above embodiment, the air conditioner 1 adopting the multi air conditioning system has been described as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, an indoor unit 1b and an option unit 1z having an optional heat exchanger 13z are connected to one outdoor unit 1a. It may be configured. In addition, the structure similar to the said embodiment can be employ | adopted for another structure.

  Here, as the option unit 1z, for example, a floor heating unit, a hot water supply unit, or the like can be adopted. Even in this case, similarly to the above, not only the first refrigerant pipe 20b connected to the indoor unit 1b but also the optional refrigerant pipe 20z connected to the option unit 1z is heated by one power output unit 66. it can.

(D)
In the power unit 60 in the above embodiment, the first refrigerant pipe 20 and the second refrigerant pipe 20c containing a magnetic material are taken as examples of the refrigerant pipe 20 heated by electromagnetic induction by the first coil 62b and the second coil 62c. And explained.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and examples of the member included in the refrigerant pipe that generates heat based on electromagnetic induction include, for example, a member including a conductor, and a product of a resistance value and a relative magnetic inductivity. It may be a member having a predetermined value or more, a member including a ferromagnetic material whose temperature when the refrigerant is heated is equal to or lower than the Curie temperature, and the like. Even in this case, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

(E)
In the power unit 60 in the above embodiment, the case where the maximum output current value of the inverter circuit 67 is configured to exceed the predetermined constant current of the constant current generator 68 has been described as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the maximum output power of the inverter circuit 67 is configured to exceed the value of the largest required power among the plurality of indoor units 1b and 1c. May be.

  In this case, for example, when only one indoor unit is driven, the output control unit 65 does not operate the constant current generation unit 68 and controls only by the capacity of the inverter circuit 67. Can do.

(F)
In the power unit 60 in the above embodiment, a plurality of coils of the first coil 62 b and the second coil 62 c are connected to one inverter circuit 67, and the heating amount in each of the refrigerant pipes 20 b and 20 c is controlled by the output control unit 65. Thus, the configuration in which the number of inverter circuits 67 is reduced to reduce the system cost has been described as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and from the viewpoint of reducing system costs, for example, a plurality of inexpensive inverter circuits having a small capacity may be connected to each refrigerant pipe. In this case, since a plurality of inverter circuits are provided for one heating location, the capacity of one inverter circuit can be designed to be small. Thereby, the cost of one inverter circuit itself can be suppressed very inexpensively. For this reason, even if it compares with the case where one inverter circuit is provided in one heating location, it becomes possible to hold down a system cost low as a whole.

(G)
In the power unit 60 in the above embodiment, a plurality of coils of the first coil 62 b and the second coil 62 c are connected to one inverter circuit 67, and the heating amount in each of the refrigerant pipes 20 b and 20 c is controlled by the output control unit 65. Thus, the configuration in which the number of inverter circuits 67 is reduced to reduce the system cost has been described as an example.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 8, in order to function as a drain pan coil 81 wound around the drain pan 80 to prevent the drain water from freezing, etc., and an auxiliary heater for the refrigerant. It is good also as the air conditioning apparatus 100 with which the piping coil 62d wound around the refrigerant | coolant piping 20d was each connected with respect to the one inverter circuit 67. FIG. The output control unit 65 controls both the heating amount in the drain pan 80 and the heating amount in the refrigerant pipe 20d, thereby reducing the number of inverter circuits 67 and reducing the system cost. can do.

  Specifically, as an air conditioner 100, a pair type air conditioner in which an indoor unit 1d is connected to an outdoor unit 1a as shown in FIG. 8 will be described as an example.

-Schematic configuration of refrigerant circuit 21-
As shown in FIG. 8, the air conditioner 100 includes an outdoor unit 1a, an indoor unit 1d, and a refrigerant pipe 20d that connects them. And with respect to the compressor 10, the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the power unit 60, and the expansion valve 12d provided in the outdoor unit 1a, the indoor heat exchanger 13d provided in the indoor unit 1d is connected in parallel by the refrigerant pipe 20d. By being connected, the refrigerant circuit 21 is configured. An expansion valve side electromagnetic valve 16d is provided between the piping coil 62d of the power unit 60 and the expansion valve 12d. Further, a compressor-side electromagnetic valve 17d is provided between the four-way switching valve 22 and the indoor heat exchanger 13d.

  The outdoor unit 1a is provided with an air conditioning control device 70 that controls the air conditioning of the indoor unit 1d based on information from the indoor unit 1d, set values, and the like. Here, each of the heat exchangers 11 and 13d and the compressor 10 are connected via a four-way switching valve 22 so that the heating operation and the cooling operation can be switched under the control of the air conditioning control device 70. .

  The indoor heat exchanger 13d is provided with an indoor temperature sensor S1 that detects the indoor temperature and outputs a control signal. In addition, an outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor S3 that detects the refrigerant temperature and outputs a control signal is installed in the heat transfer tube of the outdoor heat exchanger 11.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where the four-way switching valve 22 is switched to the heating operation side. At this time, the indoor heat exchanger 13d functions as a condenser, and the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as an evaporator.

  An outdoor blower 14 is provided in the outdoor unit 1a. An indoor blower 15d is provided in the indoor unit 1d.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the power unit 60 that is a refrigerant heating device is disposed between the expansion valve 12 d and the indoor heat exchanger 13 d in the refrigerant circuit 21. The power unit 60 abruptly heats the refrigerant flowing toward the outdoor heat exchanger 11 in the defrost operation or the operation as an auxiliary heater.

  Here, the drain pan 80 is provided with a drain temperature sensor S8 for detecting the temperature of the drain water in the drain pan 80. In addition, an outdoor temperature sensor S5 that detects the outside air temperature is installed in the vicinity of the outdoor unit 1a. Instead of the drain temperature sensor S8 here, a temperature sensor built in the drain pan 80 itself may be used. In this case, since it is integrated, the tradeability can be improved.

  In addition, about the piping coil 62d which is one of the two heating object parts by an electromagnetic induction heating system here, it is the same as that of the piping coil 62b in embodiment mentioned above, and description is abbreviate | omitted. Hereinafter, the structure of the drain pan 80 which is the other heating target by the electromagnetic induction heating method will be described.

-Drain pan 80 and drain pipe 82, etc.-
As shown in FIG. 8, the drain pan 80 is disposed below the outdoor heat exchanger 11 of the outdoor unit 1a. As described above, the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functions as a refrigerant evaporator during heating operation. The drain pan 80 condenses moisture in the air on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functioning as a refrigerant evaporator, generates drain water, receives and collects the drain water dripping according to gravity, and collects the outdoor unit. Drain water is discharged through a drain pipe 82 extending to the outside of 1a.

  The drain pan 80 is provided with a drain temperature sensor S8 for detecting the temperature of the drain water, and is connected to an acquisition unit 64 described later.

  Here, the drain pan 80 is formed of a material containing a magnetic material. A drain pan coil 81 arranged in a spiral shape is provided below the drain pan 80, and both ends of the drain pan coil 81 are connected to the high frequency power supply device 63. For this reason, a high-frequency current is passed through the drain pan coil 81 by the inverter circuit 67, the magnetic material portion of the drain pan 80 is electromagnetically heated, and the temperature of the drain pan 80 rapidly increases. And when the drain water which the water | moisture content in the air condensed on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 gathers with respect to the drain pan 80, the temperature of the drain pan 80 itself is rising.

  For this reason, drain water can be heated. Thereby, freezing of drain water in the case of discharging drain water can be prevented. In addition, since the drain water is heated in the drain pan 80, evaporation of the drain water can be promoted, so that the water accumulated in the drain pan 80 can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the electromagnetic induction heating method using a coil is adopted for the heat generation of the drain pan 80, electromagnetic induction is generated in the portion only by arranging the drain pan coil 81 in a spiral shape in the vicinity. Since heat can be generated, the degree of freedom of the heating position of the drain pan 80 can be improved.

-Configuration of power unit 60-
The power unit 60 is the same as in the above embodiment, but is provided so that both end portions of the drain pan coil 81 are connected to the high frequency power supply device 63 and extend to the drain pan 80. The drain pan coil 81 is wound around the drain pan 80. The high-frequency power supply device 63 is also the same as the above embodiment in that it includes an acquisition unit 64, an output control unit 65, and a power output unit 66.

  Among these, the acquisition unit 64 is connected to each of the outdoor temperature sensor S5 and the drain temperature sensor S8 as well as the indoor temperature sensor S1 and the outdoor heat exchange temperature sensor S3, and acquires each detected temperature.

  Regarding the heating of the drain pan 80, the output controller 65 determines the output power from the high frequency power supply device 63 to the drain pan coil 81 based on the temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor S5 acquired by the acquiring unit 64 and the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor S8. Take control. Specifically, when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor S8 is −3 ° C. or lower and the temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor S5 is −3 ° C. or lower, the output control unit 65 controls the drain pan coil 81. Control to start supply of output power.

  Then, when the output control unit 65 supplies the output power to the drain pan coil 81, the output control unit 65 supplies the output power to the drain pan coil 81 with a predetermined time interval so as to be intermittently supplied. Take control. Further, the output control unit 65 performs control to stop the supply of output power to the drain pan coil 81 when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor S8 is higher than 0 ° C.

  When the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor S8 is higher than 0 ° C., the drain water is not frozen, so that it is unnecessary to supply output power to the drain pan coil 81, and wasteful power is consumed. Can be prevented.

  Further, when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor S8 becomes −3 ° C. or lower, the drain water freezes, and thus it is necessary to supply output power to the drain pan coil 81. Here, even if the temperature of the drain water falls below 0 ° C., the drain water may be in a state of supercooled water and is not necessarily frozen. When the temperature of drain water falls below 0 ° C and the temperature gradually decreases without vibration, etc., it exists as water without freezing in a supercooled state lower than the freezing point of water. There are things to do. However, when the water temperature falls to −3 ° C., innumerable ice crystal nuclei are generated in the water, and each of these ice crystal nuclei grows, and as a whole, freezing occurs at a stretch. Here, −3 ° C. as the reference of the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor S8 has such critical significance. On the other hand, according to the control by the detection temperature of the drain temperature sensor S8 by the output control unit 65, the timing at which rapid freezing of the drain water due to the generation of such ice crystal nuclei and the thawing are necessary, The timing of the heat generation of the drain pan can be approached. Thereby, output power from the power output unit can be used more efficiently, and wasteful consumption of power that causes the drain pan to generate heat at a timing at which freezing does not occur can be avoided.

  The power output unit 66 includes one inverter circuit 67 and one constant current generator 68 as in the above embodiment. The inverter circuit 67 is connected to both the piping coil 62 d and the drain pan coil 81. The inverter circuit 67 receives a control command from the output control unit 65, converts the output frequency, converts the absolute value of the output alternating current, and distributes the power supply time to the piping coil 62d and the drain pan coil 81. A high-frequency current is supplied to the piping coil 62d and the drain pan coil 81 while being converted. Here, the inverter circuit 67 supplies electric power with the piping coil 62d and the drain pan coil 81 while switching the supply target according to the distribution time.

  The output control unit 65 grasps the degree of heating required in each of the refrigerant pipe 20d and the drain pan 80 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 described above. Then, the output control unit 65 determines whether or not output control that satisfies the grasped heating degree can be realized only by the inverter circuit 67. If it is determined that it can be realized only by the inverter circuit 67, the output control unit 65 generates power by the high-frequency current corresponding to the degree of heating required in the refrigerant pipe 20d and the drain pan 80 and the corresponding time distribution. The output control of the frequency, output current, and power supply time distribution of the inverter circuit 67 is performed so as to be supplied. Specifically, when it is determined that the degree of heating of the refrigerant pipe 20d is insufficient, the output control unit 65 performs control to increase the frequency of the inverter circuit 67 or performs control to increase the output current. . Further, the output control unit 65 controls the power supply time distribution to control the supply time zone for the piping coil 62d to be longer than the supply time zone for the drain pan coil 81 (in the above embodiment). Control similar to FIG.

  The constant current generator 68 is ON / OFF controlled by the output controller 65 and generates a predetermined constant current in the ON state. Specifically, when the output control unit 65 determines that the heating amount required in the refrigerant pipe 20d cannot be realized by the inverter circuit 67 alone based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 described above, the constant current generation unit 68 is activated. The constant current generator 68 operates when it is determined that the output is insufficient, so that the heating amount required for the piping coil 62d and the drain pan coil 81 is satisfied. As the constant current generating unit 68 for supplying the constant current value, a constant current value equal to or less than the maximum output current value of the inverter circuit 67 is adopted. Thereby, about the heating amount of the refrigerant | coolant piping 20d and the drain pan 80, it can adjust with the heating amount of a continuous value, without a value becoming discontinuous. Here, when the output control unit 65 determines that the capacity is insufficient and activates the constant current generation unit 68, the output control unit 65 subtracts the current obtained from the constant current generation unit 68, and outputs each coil 62 d, 81 from the inverter circuit 67. Is controlled so that a high-frequency current is supplied.

-Heating operation by power unit 60-
First, as described above, the output control unit 65 performs the defrost operation or the auxiliary according to the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 from the indoor temperature sensor S1, the outdoor heat exchange temperature sensor S3, the outdoor temperature sensor S5, and the drain temperature sensor S8. The operation as a heater is executed. Here, the information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 is sent to the output control unit 65.

  The output control unit 65 that has received the information from the acquisition unit 64 distributes the high-frequency current to the piping coil 62d and the drain pan 80 according to the heating amount required for the refrigerant piping 20d and the drain pan 80, respectively, in each time distribution. (Similar to FIG. 4 in the above embodiment). Here, the frequency, the output current, and the power supply time distribution according to the heating amount required in each of the refrigerant pipe 20d and the drain pan 80 are determined, and the high-frequency current is supplied to the pipe coil 62d and the drain pan 80. .

  Thereby, lines of magnetic force are generated around the piping coil 62d and the drain pan 80, and a high frequency magnetic field is generated. This magnetic flux induces an induced current in the magnetic material. For this reason, innumerable eddy currents are induced in the refrigerant pipe 20d and the drain pan 80 containing the magnetic material, and Joule heat is generated by the electric resistance of each refrigerant pipe itself and the generated eddy current, and the refrigerant pipe 20d and the drain pan 80 are Each generates heat instantaneously. Thus, the heat of the heated refrigerant pipe 20d and the drain pan 80 is transmitted to the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 20d and the drain pan 80, so that the refrigerant is instantaneously heated.

  The control by the output control unit 65 for frequency, output current, and power supply time distribution is performed in the same manner as the contents shown in FIG. 4 in the above embodiment. That is, even when the first refrigerant pipe 20b in the above embodiment is replaced with the refrigerant pipe 20d of the other embodiment (G) and the second refrigerant pipe 20c is replaced with the drain pan 80 of the other embodiment (G). The control content can be the same.

  In addition, it is also possible to apply each structure of other embodiment (A)-(F) with respect to other embodiment (G) here, respectively, In that case, the effect similar to the said embodiment is demonstrated. Can be played.

―Defrost operation―
The air conditioning control device 70 described above corrects the operation of the compressor 10 when it is determined that frost formation has occurred in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 based on the temperature detected by the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor S3 during the heating operation. The defrost operation which removes frost by operating the power unit 60 while continuing in the cycle is performed.

  Specifically, during the heating operation, the four-way switching valve 22 is in the state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 8, that is, the discharge side of the compressor 10 is connected to the gas side of the indoor heat exchanger 13d via the compressor-side electromagnetic valve 17d. And the suction side of the compressor 10 is connected to the gas side of the outdoor heat exchanger 11. When the compressor 10, the outdoor blower 14, and the indoor blower 15d are started in the state of the refrigerant circuit 21, the low-pressure gas refrigerant is sucked into the compressor 10 and compressed to become a high-pressure gas refrigerant. Then, it is sent to the indoor unit 1d via the compressor side electromagnetic valve 17d. The high-pressure gas refrigerant sent to the indoor unit 1d undergoes heat exchange with the indoor air in the indoor heat exchanger 13d to condense into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant, and then passes through the expansion valve 12d. Depressurized. The refrigerant that has passed through the expansion valve 12d flows into the outdoor heat exchanger 11. The low-pressure gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing into the outdoor heat exchanger 11 evaporates by exchanging heat with the outdoor air supplied by the outdoor blower 14, and is sucked into the compressor 10 again.

  When the refrigerant evaporates in the outdoor heat exchanger 11, frost may adhere to the outdoor heat exchanger 11 due to heat exchange between the refrigerant and outdoor air. Thus, if the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is covered with frost, the heat exchange of the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is hindered, and the heat exchange capability may be reduced. Therefore, the defrosting process is performed by the defrost operation described above.

  Here, the acquisition unit 64 of the high frequency power supply device 63 of the power unit 60 similarly determines whether or not frost formation has occurred in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 based on the temperature detected by the outdoor heat exchanger temperature sensor S3 during the heating operation. . And when it is judged by the acquisition part 64 that frost has arisen and the air-conditioning control apparatus 70 performs defrost operation, the output control part 65 outputs the output electric power from the electric power output part 66 with respect to the piping coil 62d. Control to raise. In the output control by the output control unit 65 here, the output to the piping coil 62d is given priority over the output to the drain pan coil 81, so that the removal of frost in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is given priority.

  When the frost formation in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 is thawed and the air conditioning control device 70 ends the defrost operation, the output control unit 65 outputs the power output at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the defrost operation. Control to increase the output power from the unit 66 to the drain pan coil 81 is performed. Here, a part of the electric power preferentially supplied to the piping coil 62d during the defrost operation is supplied to the drain pan coil 81 side, and the drain water in the drain pan 80 is preferentially heated. . The elapse of the predetermined time here is timed by the output control unit 65 using a timer or the like. In this way, the power unit 60 is activated and the refrigerant passing through the refrigerant pipe 20d is heated, and operation control as an auxiliary heater for the refrigerant is performed.

  Thereby, the output control part 65 of the high frequency power supply device 63 removes frost formation in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 more quickly by giving priority to the output power to the piping coil 62d side during the defrost operation. Thus, the obstruction factor of heat exchange can be solved. Then, at a predetermined timing from the end of the defrost operation, the output control unit 65 increases the output power to the drain pan coil 81 side to heat the drain pan 80, so that the frost is thawed and collected in the drain pan 80. Drain water can be heated in a timely manner. Thereby, the output of electric power to the drain pan coil 81 can be limited when necessary, and effective drain water heating can be performed while reducing energy loss.

  Here, when the improvement control of the output power to the piping coil 62d by the defrost operation described above and the supply of the output power to the drain pan coil 81 are synchronized, the output control unit 65 Prioritizing the improvement of the output power to the piping coil 62d so as to prioritize the removal of frost by the defrost operation rather than heating the drain water.

—Characteristics of the air conditioner 100 according to another embodiment (G) —
(1)
Conventionally, when heating is performed for a plurality of locations such as a refrigerant and a drain pan flowing through a refrigerant pipe, separate power output means such as a coil and an inverter are provided corresponding to each heating location, and the system cost is reduced. I'm stuck.

  On the other hand, in the air conditioning apparatus 100, not only the piping coil 62 d but also the drain pan coil 81 is controlled to change the heating degree by one inverter circuit 67 by the output control by the output control unit 65 of the power output unit 66. ing. For this reason, in the case where not only the refrigerant pipe 20d but also the drain pan 80 is heated, an inverter circuit corresponding to each heat generating part is provided to avoid the need for a plurality of inverter circuits, and one inverter circuit 67 is provided. The power output unit 66 provided can cope with heat generation control of each heat generating unit.

(2)
Further, when water in the air is condensed in the outdoor heat exchanger 11 functioning as an evaporator to generate drain water, the drain water may accumulate in the drain pan 80. In such a case, it is preferable to prevent the drain water from freezing so that the drain water is appropriately discharged. On the other hand, in the air conditioner 100 of the other embodiment (G), the drain pan coil 81 is spirally arranged below the drain pan 80 containing the magnetic material, so that the drain pan 80 itself is electromagnetically heated. To generate heat and heat the drain water. For this reason, the situation where discharge of drain water becomes difficult by freezing of drain water can be avoided.

(3)
Further, since the drain water is heated, evaporation of the drain water can be promoted, so that the water accumulated in the drain pan 80 can be reduced.

(H)
Moreover, this invention is not restricted to this, As shown in FIG. 9, you may make it apply the structure of other embodiment (G) mentioned above in a multi-type air conditioning system.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a first indoor unit 1e and a second indoor unit 1f are provided for one outdoor unit 1a including a power unit 60, a drain pan 80, a drain pan coil 81, and a drain pipe 82. It is good also as a structure like the multi-type air conditioning apparatus 200 connected respectively. In addition, about each indoor heat exchanger 13e, 13f, each indoor air blower 15e, 15f, various sensors S1, S2, S3, S5, S8, etc., it is the same as that of the said embodiment.

  Specifically, a drain pan coil 81 wound around the drain pan 80, a first piping coil 62e wound around the first refrigerant piping 20e, and a second piping coil 62f wound around the second refrigerant piping 20f, respectively. The output control unit 65 is connected to one inverter circuit 67, and the output control unit 65 outputs electric power for the three heating portions of the heating amount in each of the refrigerant pipes 20e and 20f and the heating amount in the drain pan 80. Control.

  Thereby, the freeze prevention function of the drain water and the auxiliary heater function of the refrigerant for the plurality of indoor units 1e and 1f can be realized without increasing the number of inverter circuits 67 while suppressing the system cost.

(I)
Moreover, this invention is not restricted to this, For example, in order to respond | correspond to dry air of winter, it is good also as a structure which humidifies indoors using the vapor | steam produced by the heating of drain water. In this case, by using the drain water generated in the outdoor heat exchanger 11, the user can humidify the room without supplying water.

  In addition, when the structure which can maintain a sanitary state about the part through which drain water passes and the drain pan 80 is employ | adopted, it may evaporate at the time of dripping at the drain pan 80, and may supply clean moisture air indoors. It becomes possible.

  As a configuration for supplying drain water to the indoor side here, for example, a pipe or the like that regulates the direction in which drain vapor heated by electromagnetic induction heating diffuses and leads it to the outlet side of the indoor unit 1d or the like. This can be realized by providing. Alternatively, an air conditioner that forms an air flow that flows from the room to the room and an air flow that flows from the room to the room is adopted, and the above-described drain vapor is generated in the middle of the flow path of the air taken from the room to the room while performing ventilation. It is good also as a structure which contains water | moisture content in the air which passes and blows off indoors. Further, the air sucked from the room in the indoor unit 1d or the like may be guided to the outdoor unit 1a at one end by a pipe or the like to allow the drain vapor to pass therethrough and return the moisture-containing air to the room.

  According to the present invention, since the system cost can be reduced even when the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe is heated at a plurality of locations, the present invention can be applied to an air conditioning system having a plurality of heating locations in the refrigerant piping. It is particularly useful.

The block diagram of the refrigerant circuit by which the heater which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was employ | adopted. The figure which shows the connection form of the 1st coil and 2nd coil with respect to one inverter circuit. Explanatory drawing about the heating by electromagnetic induction. Explanatory drawing about the frequency and output control by an inverter control part. The refrigerant circuit figure in case heating control is carried out by the constant current generation part which concerns on other embodiment (A). The refrigerant circuit figure in case heating control is carried out by the inverter circuit which concerns on other embodiment (A). The refrigerant circuit figure at the time of applying to the option unit which concerns on other embodiment (C). The refrigerant circuit figure in the case of heating the drain pan which concerns on other embodiment (G). The multi-type refrigerant circuit figure in the case of heating the drain pan which concerns on other embodiment (H).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioning apparatus 1a Outdoor unit 1b 1st indoor unit (indoor unit)
1c Second indoor unit (indoor unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Compressor 11 Outdoor heat exchanger 12b 1st expansion valve 12c 2nd expansion valve 13b 1st indoor heat exchanger 13c 2nd indoor heat exchanger 14 Outdoor blower 15b 1st indoor blower 15c 2nd indoor blower 20 Refrigerant piping 20b 1st 1 refrigerant pipe 20c second refrigerant pipe 21 refrigerant circuit 22 four-way switching valve 60 power unit (refrigerant heating device)
62b 1st coil 62c 2nd coil 63 High frequency power supply device 64 Acquisition part 65 Output control part 66 Electric power output part 67 Inverter circuit 68 Constant current generation part (constant current generation means)
70 Air Conditioning Control Device 80 Drain Pan 81 Drain Pan Coil 82 Drain Piping 100 Air Conditioner 200 Air Conditioner

Claims (17)

A refrigerant heating device (60) for heating the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe (20),
A first heat generating part (62b) for heating the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant pipe (20b);
A second heat generating part (62c) for heating the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant pipe (20c);
A power output section (66) for heating both the first heat generating section (62b) and the second heat generating section (62c) by changing output power;
An acquisition unit (64) for acquiring information on the degree of heating required in the first heat generation unit (62b) and the second heat generation unit (62c);
A control unit (65) for controlling output power of the power output unit (66) with respect to the first heat generating unit (62b) and the second heat generating unit (62c) based on the acquisition result by the acquiring unit (64); ,
A refrigerant heating device (60) comprising: The first refrigerant pipe (20b) and the second refrigerant pipe (20c) flow refrigerant for different indoor units (1b, 1c).
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to claim 1. The power output unit (66) includes constant current generation means (68) that is used by switching ON / OFF and generates a constant current in the ON state.
The control unit (65) controls output power by performing ON / OFF switching of the constant current generating means (68) based on the acquisition result by the acquisition unit (64).
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to claim 1 or 2. The power output unit (66) includes an inverter circuit (67) that changes the degree of heating of both the first heat generating unit (62b) and the second heat generating unit (62c) by changing output power. And
The control unit (65) controls the output power of the inverter circuit (67) based on the acquisition result by the acquisition unit (64).
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The power output unit (66) is used by switching ON / OFF, and a constant current generating means (68) for generating a constant current in the ON state, and the first heat generating unit (62b) by changing the output power. And an inverter circuit (67) that changes the heating degree of both the second heat generating part (62c),
The control unit (65) performs control for switching ON / OFF of the constant current generation means (68) based on the acquisition result by the acquisition unit (64), and ON / OFF of the constant current generation means (68). Control the output power of the inverter circuit (67) based on the OFF state.
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to claim 1 or 2. The constant current value by the constant current generating means (68) is not more than the maximum value of the output current value of the inverter circuit (67).
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to claim 5. The first refrigerant pipe (20b) and the second refrigerant pipe (20c) flow the refrigerant for different indoor units (1b, 1c),
The power capacity of the inverter circuit (67) is the maximum power required by the indoor unit (1b) through which the first refrigerant pipe (20b) flows refrigerant, and the indoor unit (2) through which the second refrigerant pipe (20c) flows refrigerant. 1c) is greater than the larger value of the maximum power required,
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to claim 5 or 6. The control unit (65) outputs the output power simultaneously output from the power output unit (66) and the output power to the first heat generating unit (62b) based on the acquisition result in the acquisition unit (64). 2. Distribute the output power to the heat generating part (62c).
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The control unit (65) includes a first time zone for supplying output power of the power output unit (66) to the first heat generating unit (62b) based on an acquisition result in the acquisition unit (64). Supply separately to the second time zone to be supplied to the second heat generating part (62c),
The refrigerant heating device (60) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A refrigerant heating device (60) for heating the refrigerant,
A pipe heating part (62e) for heating the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe (20e);
A drain pan heating section (80) for flowing drain water or heating the drain pan (80) to be stored;
A power output unit (66) for heating both the pipe heating unit (62e) and the drain pan heating unit (81) by changing the output power;
An acquisition unit (64) for acquiring information on the degree of heating required in the pipe heating unit and the drain pan heating unit;
A control unit (65) for controlling output power of the power output unit with respect to the pipe heat generating unit and the drain pan heat generating unit based on an acquisition result by the acquiring unit;
A refrigerant heating device (100, 200) comprising: The pipe heating section has a refrigerant pipe (20d) containing a magnetic material, and a pipe coil (62d) that causes electromagnetic induction in the magnetic material of the refrigerant pipe when an electric current flows,
The drain pan heat generating portion includes a drain pan (80) containing a magnetic material and a drain pan coil (81) that causes electromagnetic induction in the magnetic material of the drain pan when an electric current flows.
The refrigerant heating device (100, 200) according to claim 10. The control unit (65) performs control such that the output time from the power output unit (66) to the drain pan coil (81) becomes intermittent.
The refrigerant heating device (100, 200) according to claim 11. The drain pan (80) collects moisture in a heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator,
The acquisition unit (64) acquires information on frost formation in the heat exchanger,
The control unit (65) performs control so as to perform the defrost operation for removing the frost while at least information on the occurrence of frost is acquired by the acquisition unit, and starts the defrost operation or Performing a control to increase the output power from the output power unit to the drain pan coil (81) at a timing based on any one of the time points when the defrost operation ends.
The refrigerant heating device (1) according to claim 11 or 12. The control unit (65) performs the defrost operation by increasing output power to the piping coil (62d), and outputs the output power from the power output unit to the piping coil (62d) when the defrost operation is performed. Control to increase the output power to the drain pan coil (81) with priority.
The refrigerant heating device (100, 200) according to claim 13. A drain temperature sensor (S8) for detecting the temperature of the drain in the drain pan (80);
The control unit (65) supplies output power from the power output unit to the drain pan coil when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor (S8) is −3 ° C. or lower.
The refrigerant heating device (100, 200) according to any one of claims 11 to 14. The control unit (65) stops supply of output power from the power output unit to the drain pan coil when the temperature detected by the drain temperature sensor (S8) is higher than 0 ° C.
The refrigerant heating device (100, 200) according to claim 15. An outdoor temperature sensor (S5) for detecting the outdoor temperature;
The control unit (65) supplies output power from the power output unit to the drain pan coil when the temperature detected by the outdoor temperature sensor (S5) is −3 ° C. or lower.
The refrigerant heating device (100, 200) according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

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